Second Suffren-class nuclear submarine delivered to French Navy
Duguay-Trouin SSN is expected to begin pre-commissioning trials soon. (Photo: DGA)
The second Suffren-class SSN for the French Navy, Duguay-Trouin, has been officially delivered after months of sea trials.
The announcement of the late July delivery was made by the Ministry of Armed Forces on 10 August and the process of further sea trials, evaluation and a lengthy deployment will now begin before the eventual commissioning of the boat.
The sea trials before handover began in March and included evaluation of the nuclear propulsion system and performance at a range of speeds and depths.
Specifically the tests included a static dive, or immersion without propelled movement, to check the stability of the submarine; surface and diving tests; safety and operation of the installations, including its nuclear boiler room; and diving tests to verify the operation of its combat system, including its ability to implement its weapons and communicate.
Related Articles
France’s first Barracuda-class submarine enters service
These tests were led by the DGA in conjunction with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission and in close partnership with the French Navy and Naval Group and TechnicAtome.
The service’s first of class, Suffren, was commissioned into service in June 2022, 18 months after it was handed over to the French Navy for testing.
The Suffren-class submarines will replace the existing Rubis- and Amethyste-class and provide France with an enhanced sub-surface attack capability.
Duguay-Trouin was laid down on 26 June 2009 and had been due to be delivered in 2022, while the next boat Tourville was laid down on 28 June 2011. The first four are all at different stages of construction and are planned to be delivered by 2025.
All six SSNs are planned to be handed over by 2030. Tourville was rolled out on 20 July 2023 and is expected to start sea trials in 2024.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Maritime defence in the Mediterranean faces challenges from vulnerable land power]()
Maritime defence in the Mediterranean faces challenges from vulnerable land power
As an indispensable energy crossroads, the Mediterranean is at serious risk from grey zone disruption. As navies increasingly employ AI data centres, what happens when cutting-edge defence technologies rely on the very infrastructure most susceptible to hybrid tactics?
-
![US Navy to conduct an experimentation campaign with emerging tech in 2026 and 2027]()
US Navy to conduct an experimentation campaign with emerging tech in 2026 and 2027
The Technology Operational Experimentation Events will inform future requirements as the US Navy looks for innovative solutions across three key operational domains.
-
![Future Canadian Continental Defence Corvette will provide “Halifax-equivalent capabilities”]()
Future Canadian Continental Defence Corvette will provide “Halifax-equivalent capabilities”
Although the CDC project is still in its early stages, the Canadian Department of National Defence already has some requirements for the future platforms.
-
![US Navy to acquire micro-uncrewed underwater vehicles for ISR and coastal data collection]()
US Navy to acquire micro-uncrewed underwater vehicles for ISR and coastal data collection
The Naval Supply Systems Command is seeking authorised resellers of JaiaBot uncrewed underwater vehicles and multivehicle pods. The platforms will support undergraduate education at the US Naval Academy.
-
![NATO tests use of “undetectable, jam-proof” laser communication in maritime scenarios]()
NATO tests use of “undetectable, jam-proof” laser communication in maritime scenarios
As part of its effort to better prepare its capabilities for operations in contested and congested scenarios, NATO evaluated a Lithuanian ship-to-ship terminal designed to not be susceptible to enemy interference.
